Saints GG lose out in five-goal thriller

Oban Saints GG 2 Viewfield Rovers 3 Greater Glasgow AFL Division 3A

Following the postponement of Oban Saints Central Scottish Amateur Football League Premier Division match against Eastfield the club’s second string, Oban Saints GG, took centre stage at Oban High School last Saturday afternoon.

The Greater Glasgow Premier Amateur Football League Division 3A clash with Viewfield Rovers kept the large crowd richly entertained with the visitors coming out on top by the odd goal in five after a stirring comeback from a two goal deficit.

Saints GG Gaffer Donald Black’s team selection woes continued with a string off call-offs forcing him to turn to the first team squad for assistance. First team manager Willie Gemmell was only too happy to oblige and supplied youngsters Gavin Forgrieve and Kyle Cooper and the ever dependable Alex Craik. In perhaps the biggest shock of all Gemmell himself accepted a starting role in central defence alongside fellow veteran Craik.

The match got off to the best possible start for the hosts when Craig Livingstone’s long ball up the left was misjudged by Viewfield keeper Kyle Keegan with Lennon Campbell nipping in to head the loose ball into the unguarded net and give Saints a first minute lead.

Saints began the second half in the same style as the first doubling their advantage just two minutes after the re-start. Craig Livingstone’s ball out from the back was picked up by Lewis Buchanan who drove forward before sending a perfectly weighted pass into the stride of Fraser MacFarlane. The diminutive striker raced away from Daniel Kelly and Sam Reilly before clipping a composed finish past Kyle Keegan.

With 23 minutes remaining a sensational 28 yard left foot strike from Josh Smith flew high into the net well beyond the reach of Murdo Mackenzie who was in inspired form all afternoon to kick start a stunning comeback from the visitors.

The Viewfield manager made an inspired substitution with the introduction of Connor Goldie who drew his side level after 76 minutes after turning away from the clearly struggling Alex Craik to slam the ball high into the net past the left hand of Murdo Mackenzie

Mackenzie saved a third freekick from Viewfield skipper Dean Patrick in the 92nd minute as the battling Saints looked to have secured a share of the points.

From the resulting corner kick however Saints were left appealing in vain for a Connor Goldie foul on Lewis Campbell on the left edge of the 18 yard box.

Referee Jim Feerick saw nothing wrong and Goldie didn’t wait about for an inquest spinning into the box and curling a left foot shot into the far corner for a last gasp winner for the Lochwinnoch men.

This Saturday coming Saints GG face another huge test when they travel to face league leaders Houston United and first team Gaffer Willie Gemmell will take his charges to the famously immaculate grass surface at Eastgate for a Central Scottish AFL Premier Division encounter with Gartcosh United.

Youth results

Lochgilphead 3, Saints U15s 4. On target for Saints were James Muir, Kai Mckechnie, Rhys Millar and an OG. Busby 0, Saints U16s 6. Scoring for Saints were Michael Campbell (2), Preston MacIntyre (3) and Logan Black.

Lochnell U14s 10, Celtic FC Girls’ Academy 1. Lochnell scorers were Cammy McAllister (7), Matty McFatridge, Kyle Gibson and Lewis Rae.